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Ramblin' Dan
Dan Roloff is the editor of TheHighCalling.org, and his blog, Ramblin’ Dan, has a little bit of everything. At times, a theologian, philosopher, comedian, publisher, sports enthusiast, and businessman, Dan offers a transparent look at the high calling of one man’s work.
subscribe to this blog >Shift in Worldview
5.6.10
Jesus offered a monumental shift in worldview. For the Jews, Jesus was the fulfillment of Scripture. He was the Savior promised by the God of Israel. For the Gentiles, this was a shift away from polytheism to the One True God. Also for the Greek and Romans, in particular, the shift of living a life based on rhetoric and reason to a life of faith was a tremendous shift. Paul explained it like this:
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called—one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:1-6)
This call to unity is not unlike the situation we find ourselves in today. Since the time of the Enlightenment, the move toward reason at the expense of faith has grown in influence. In the past century or so, secularism became synonymous with pluralism. Secularism is not pluralism. Pluralism, the tolerance of religious diversity, is fundamental to the American way of life. Secularism, the exclusion of religion, is not a founding principle. So this tension becomes the biggest threat to unity. But as many people begin to see the two as synonymous, the U.S. Constitution shifts in meaning.
Ironically, the history of Harvard College serves as an example. Harvard was founded by Puritans for the education of the clergy. It was not a seminary but a school of higher education that would produce candidates suitable to pursue a life in ministry. Over time, Harvard lost its identity with the Puritans. The motto was shortened from the original Veritas, Christo et Ecclesiae (truth for Christ and the Church) to Veritas.
Harvard's founding was based in pluralism. Today, Harvard is seen as a secular institution. What that means, by definition, is that Harvard excludes religion from its core purpose. Its image now is one opposing pluralism for the sake of secularism. The irony is that they call this diversity.
While Christians battle each other over doctrine and politics, unity of the Spirit is shaken. Christianity appears to be about divisiveness and not love. Pluralism is ignored and the message of Christ and its saving power gets lost.
READER'S COMMENTS
Thanks Dan,
I am reading in Ephesians too, and this morning I wrote about "the Mystery" that was revealed by revelation to Paul...and that Mystery is that Jesus not only came for the Jew, but for the Gentile as well...and that is extremely good news for those of us who had no Law or way of reconciling with God.
His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ephesians 3:11-12
To your point....we (the church) need to get back to basics, to sharing Jesus through our love, actions and works.
Works do not justify, but a justified man works.
Tray, I really like the final statement in your comment.